Going Hands On With GM’s Chevy Volt
Test driving the hatchback designed Volt felt at first like driving a typical American sedan – centered, somewhat heavy on the road and showcasing a design built with American pride. The front seats feel spacious and roomy, though the back seats leave a lot to be desired if you are a tall person. The number of technology options built into the two screens and console buttons almost conveys a sense of driving a spaceship, definitely making you feel like the car you are driving right now is a luddite by comparison.
image copyright EarthTechling
The Volt, in the few minutes I had to take it for a spin, had a quick acceleration, good handling on the road and, when the electric motor alone was running, only the sound of the road and the wind to tell me the vehicle was in motion. Not a bad beginning and perhaps, just perhaps, worth the $41,000 price tag GM has assigned it.
image copyright EarthTechling
GM says the Volt’s propulsion system “consists of a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and electric drive unit that provide pure electric range between 25 and 50 miles, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. A 1.4L gasoline-powered engine extends the range up to an additional 310 miles on a full tank of fuel by operating the vehicle’s electric drive system until the car can be plugged in and recharged or refueled.”
